Outspoken

Why Women's Voices Get Silenced and How to Set Them Free

By: Veronica Rueckert

Narrated by: Veronica Rueckert

Length: 5 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

A big think, conversation-changing book, full of practical advice, about how women can learn to claim the power of their voices in the workplace and at home, and what needs to change so they can finally be heard.

From the Supreme Court to the conference room to the classroom, women find themselves interrupted much more often than their male counterparts. Worse, a 2015 Yale University study revealed that women executives who spoke more often than their peers were rated 14 percent less competent, while male executives who did the same thing enjoyed a 10 percent competency bump. And a 2016 study from USC found women account for only a third of speaking roles in top US movies.

It’s undeniable: women’s voices aren’t being heard - at work, at home, in every facet of their lives. The fault lies not with women, but in a culture that seeks to silence women’s voices. However, there are skills every woman can harness to understand her own voice and learn how to use it with confidence.

With Outspoken, Veronica Rueckert - a Peabody Award-winning former host at Wisconsin Public Radio, trained opera singer, and communications expert - teaches women to speak with the confidence, clarity, and authority that will get them heard. Outspoken provides listeners with the insight, guidance, and encouragement they need to use their voice to successfully communicate in meetings, around the dinner table, and during future political debates.

Written with a warm and engaging tone, brimming with practical advice and accessible stories, Outspoken is a substantive yet entertaining analysis of why most males - and many females - don’t grant women the power to speak. Most importantly, it includes solutions for change. Positive, confident and supportive, this welcome and much need guide will help reshape the world and make it better for women - and for everyone.

©2019 Veronica Rueckert (P)2019 HarperAudio

Wonderful exploration of the sound and the politics of our voices

Veronica Rueckert does an amazing job using her very own voice to tell her own story and help us learn to use ours. She is a amazing teacher. She made me fascinated about my voice, my habits, and ways I may more fully embody it. Her book and her voice are super fun to listen to and made me laugh. I want to learn more and practice using my breath and voice to it’s fullest. This book provides so many fun allusions, so much relevant “trivia” and data, and ways to practice exploring ways to breath, be, and speak. Thank you Veronica!

Overall a beneficial book to read, just not my style

The wisdom and information and experiences presented in this book are really good. I did find myself zoning out a lot over some parts that were not as interesting to me…some things were pretty cookie cutter, or presented in a way that was really basic (kind of cheesy sometimes too). To me, often it sounded like AI reading me a book (because the authors voice is so professional). But to each their own! I think it’s a good book overall even if I didn’t love all of it/presentation. I learned many things, and I have yet to find out how these new learnings will imprint on me, and perhaps change my course on this wild journey!

Educational, entertaining and enlightening

Outspoken by Veronica Rueckert is educational, entertaining and enlightening.

The book is part research, part stories (for inspiration) and part helpful tips - a satisfying combination.

It is validating to read about the studies that demonstrate that women are interrupted much more often than their male counterparts (for example). Though validation can be a double edged sword (“I thought so…but now what?”), this book empowers the reader with very specific tips for how to be better heard (and interrupted less) and how bring power to your voice.

And instead of feeling bogged down with the sad fact that women’s voices are not fully being heard – Rueckert seasons the book with inspiring stories of women finding their voices and implements a dexterous writing style that leaves a smile on your face.

Feminist crap

I’m in chapter 3 and can’t continue. It’s all poor me or poor whomever she’s using as an example- we’re marginalized because of this or that. Oh boohoo, put on your big girl panties and be professional.
She does eventually provide some speech lessons to improve your dialect or other voice concerns. Unfortunately, way, way too little compared to the excuses and victim hood.